We put the Dell XPS 13 Plus (2023) through our rigorous DXOMARK Laptop test suite to measure its performance both at sound, camera and display.
In this review, we will break down how it fared in a variety of tests and several common use cases.
Overview
Key specifications include (as given by the manufacturer):
- Physical specs : 29.53×19.90×1.53
- Display : 3840×2400 OLED, 60 Hz, 500 nits, Touch
- Audio : Stereo 2x2W Speakers
- Webcam : HD 720p 30fps
Scoring
Use-case and feature subscores included in the calculations of the global score
Video Call
Music & Video
Pros
- In video calls, strong underexposure on faces during video calls in high dynamic scenes
- In video calls, limited dynamic range on camera
- Good overall voice intelligibility in video calls
Cons
- In video calls, background sounds can still be heard in the captured audio, strongly impacting the experience
- In video calls, duplex issues leading to voice intelligibility limitations in double talk situations
- Below average SDR performance
- While watching HDR contents, gamut and maximum brightness are limited, and highlights are easily clipped
- Too high minimum brightness
- Noticeable distortion in multimedia playback at loud volumes
- In Music & Video, below average timbre rendition with aggressive treble, lack of bass and low midrange
The Dell XPS 13 Plus (2023) put in a well-balanced but only average overall performance across all features and use cases for audio, camera, and display. Its audio performance was more suited to video calls than to multimedia use cases.
Test summary
About DXOMARK Laptop tests: For scoring and analysis in our laptop reviews, DXOMARK engineers perform a variety of objective tests and undertake more than 20 hours of perceptual evaluations under controlled lab conditions and real-life scenarios.
(For more details about the Laptop protocol, click here.)
The following section gathers key elements of our exhaustive tests and analyses performed in DXOMARK laboratories. Detailed performance evaluations under the form of reports are available upon request. Do not hesitate to contact us.
Video Call
Dell XPS 13 Plus (2022)
144
DXOMARK's Video call use case is a score that evaluates how a device handles video calls and videoconferencing in multiple conditions. This score focuses on the camera performance and the capture and playback rendering of voices. Read more about how we test the use cases of Video call score here.
The Dell laptop’s camera had low texture performance and did not handle noise well. Further, it had limited dynamic range, and faces were very underexposed in high dynamic scenes. Its audio system did better, with good voice timber and intelligibility. However, its SNR was poor, as background noise could be heard in captured audio; moreover, gating impaired intelligibility when more than one person was talking.
Camera
Dell XPS 13 Plus (2022)
135
The following chart presents the camera subscores for the video call use case:
The following graphs show the objective measurements performed in our camera labs:
Audio
Dell XPS 13 Plus (2022)
144
The following chart presents the capture subscores for the video call use case:
The following graphs show the frequency response, distortion and directivity in capture, recorded in our semi-anechoic room:
Music & Video
Dell XPS 13 Plus (2022)
154
DXOMARK's Video and Music use case score evaluates the capability of a device to reproduce multimedia usages such as videos, movies and music playback in indoor conditions. This score focuses on the display performance and audio-playback rendering. Read more about how we test this use case here.
The Dell’s display performance when dealing with SDR content was below average, with desaturated blues and magentas, and slightly raised blacks. Although the laptop can display HDR content, its gamut and maximum brightness were limited compared to other HDR-capable devices. At 27 nits, its minimum brightness was quite high, which may be bothersome when using the laptop in low light.
Overall timbre rendition for multimedia was below average, with aggressive trebles, and lack of bass and low midrange. Some resonances introduced disturbing hissing and noticeable distortion. Temporal compression impaired the Dell’s dynamics performance, with losses of attack, punch, and bass precision. Distortion in multimedia playback was particularly audible at loud volumes.
Display
Dell XPS 13 Plus (2022)
156
The following chart presents the display subscores for the multimedia use case:
The following graphs show the objective measurements performed in our display lab:
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Audio
Dell XPS 13 Plus (2022)
152
The following chart presents the playback for the multimedia use case:
The following graphs show the frequency response, distortion and directivity in multimedia playback, recorded in our semi-anechoic room:
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